Transit Talks Continue, But Strike Threat Over

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Negotiators for Philadelphia’s transit agency and its largest union are scheduled to meet again Sunday evening to try to reach agreement on a new contract, but officials say there is no prospect of a strike.

The two sides met for several hours Saturday, and a spokeswoman for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority says talks are slated to resume at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Gov. Ed Rendell told reporters earlier that there had been “substantial progress’’ and he hoped an agreement would come quickly. He said he had told both sides to stay at the bargaining table or risk “significant consequences’’ of losing state support for mass transit.

Transport Workers Union Local 234 president Willie Brown also said he expected a contract “very soon.’’ The union represents more than 5,000 bus drivers, subway and trolley operators and mechanics who have been working without a contract since early spring.